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• VCSSU075

  The growth and survival of living things are affected by the physical conditions of their environment

  Elaborations

  • observing the growth of fungi, for example, yeast and bread mould in different temperature conditions
  • investigating how changing the physical conditions for plants impacts on their growth and survival, for example, changing salt water concentrations, using fertilisers or transferring to a different soil type
  • researching organisms that live in extreme environments, for example, Antarctica, a desert or deep sea

  VCSSU075 | Science | Levels 5 and 6 | Science Understanding | Biological sciences

• VCSSU058

  Different living things have different life cycles and depend on each other and the environment to survive

  Elaborations

  • making and recording observations of living things as they develop through their life cycles, for example, insects, birds, frogs and flowering plants
  • recognising that environmental factors can affect life cycles, for example, fire and seed germination
  • investigating the roles of living things in a habitat, for example, producers, consumers or decomposers
  • predicting the effects when living things in feeding relationships are removed or die out in an area

  VCSSU058 | Science | Levels 3 and 4 | Science Understanding | Biological sciences

• VCSSU074

  Living things have structural features and adaptations that help them to survive in their environment

  Elaborations

  • explaining how particular adaptations aid survival, for example, nocturnal behaviour, silvery coloured leaves of dune plants
  • describing and listing adaptations of living things suited for particular Australian environments

  VCSSU074 | Science | Levels 5 and 6 | Science Understanding | Biological sciences

• VCSSU043

  Living things grow, change and have offspring similar to themselves

  Elaborations

  • representing personal growth and changes from birth
  • exploring the different characteristics of the life stages in animals, for example, butterflies or frogs

  VCSSU043 | Science | Foundation to Level 2 | Science Understanding | Biological sciences

• VCSSU073

  Scientific understandings, discoveries and inventions are used to inform personal and community decisions and to solve problems that directly affect people’s lives

  Elaborations

  • exploring objects and devices that include parts that involve the reflection, absorption or refraction of light, for example, mirrors, sunglasses and prisms
  • considering how electricity and electrical appliances have changed the way some people live
  • considering how decisions are made to grow particular plants and crops depending on environmental conditions
  • considering how guidelines help to ensure the safe use of electrical devices
  • comparing the benefits of using solid, liquid or gaseous fuels to heat a home
  • designing shelters for living things that are exposed to changed or harsh environments, for example, as a result of bushfire or displacement

  VCSSU073 | Science | Levels 5 and 6 | Science Understanding | Science as a human endeavour

• VCSSU079

  Sudden geological changes or extreme weather conditions can affect Earth’s surface

  Elaborations

  • investigating major geological events, for example, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis
  • recognising that earthquakes can cause tsunamis
  • considering the effect of drought on living and non-living aspects of the environment

  VCSSU079 | Science | Levels 5 and 6 | Science Understanding | Earth and space sciences

• VCSSU032

  Living things can be plants or animals

  Elaborations

  • observing the life cycles of living things
  • displaying an understanding of the requirements of living things by caring for them, for example, watering plants and feeding pets

  VCSSU032 | Science | Level D | Science Understanding | Biological sciences

• VCSSU012

  Living things can look and feel different

  Elaborations

  • handling and observing living and non-living things
  • developing an emerging awareness of some essential characteristics of living things, for example, 'Eyes are for seeing’

  VCSSU012 | Science | Level B | Science Understanding | Biological sciences

• VCSSU022

  Living things have different names and parts

  Elaborations

  • developing an understanding of some features of living things
  • identifying some features of living things, for example, plants have leaves, dogs have fur, eyes, mouths and legs, flowers have petals, fish have scales

  VCSSU022 | Science | Level C | Science Understanding | Biological sciences

• VCSSU002

  Living things are part of the world around us

  Elaborations

  • experiencing a variety of living things in a range of situations such as pets at school, plants in a garden, animals on a farm or in the school grounds
  • responding to the characteristics of different things, for example, texture of their covering, softness, size, sounds they make

  VCSSU002 | Science | Level A | Science Understanding | Biological sciences

• VCSSU057

  Living things can be grouped on the basis of observable features and can be distinguished from non-living things

  Elaborations

  • exploring differences between living, once living and products of living things
  • identifying variations in the features of plants, for example, colour and shape of leaves, or types of flowers
  • identifying variations in the features of animals, for example, body covering, ear shapes or number of legs

  VCSSU057 | Science | Levels 3 and 4 | Science Understanding | Biological sciences

• VCSSU092

  Cells are the basic units of living things and have specialised structures and functions

  Elaborations

  • examining a variety of cells using a light microscope, by digital technology or by viewing a simulation
  • distinguishing plant cells from animal and fungal cells
  • identifying structures within cells and describing their function
  • recognising that some organisms consist of a single cell

  VCSSU092 | Science | Levels 7 and 8 | Science Understanding | Biological sciences

• VCSSU042

  Living things have a variety of external features and live in different places where their basic needs, including food, water and shelter, are met

  Elaborations

  • recognising common features of animals, for example, head, legs and wings
  • describing the use of animal body parts for particular purposes, for example, moving and feeding
  • identifying common features of plants, for example, leaves and roots
  • recognising that different living things live in different places, for example, land and water
  • exploring what happens when habitats change and some living things can no longer have their needs met

  VCSSU042 | Science | Foundation to Level 2 | Science Understanding | Biological sciences

• VCSSU120

  The theory of evolution by natural selection explains the diversity of living things and is supported by a range of scientific evidence

  Elaborations

  • describing biodiversity as a function of evolution
  • outlining processes involved in natural selection including variation, isolation and selection
  • investigating changes caused by natural selection in a particular population as a result of a specified selection pressure, for example, artificial selection in breeding for desired characteristics
  • evaluating and interpreting evidence for evolution, including the fossil record, chemical and anatomical similarities, and the geographical distribution of species

  VCSSU120 | Science | Levels 9 and 10 | Science Understanding | Biological sciences

• VCSSU048

  The way objects move depends on a variety of factors including their size and shape: a push or a pull affects how an object moves or changes shape

  Elaborations

  • observing the way different shaped objects move, such as balls, blocks and tubes
  • comparing the way different sized, but similar shaped, objects roll and bounce, such as tennis balls, golf balls, marbles and basketballs
  • observing how the movement of different living things depends on their size and shape
  • exploring how different strengths of pushes and pulls affect the movement of objects
  • identifying toys from different cultures that use the forces of push or pull

  VCSSU048 | Science | Foundation to Level 2 | Science Understanding | Physical sciences

• VCSSU046

  Observable changes occur in the sky and landscape; daily and seasonal changes affect everyday life

  Elaborations

  • recording short and longer term patterns of events that occur on Earth and in the sky, for example, the appearance of the moon and stars at night, the weather and the seasons
  • linking changes in the daily weather to the way we modify our behaviour and dress for different conditions, including examples from different cultures
  • investigating how changes in the weather might affect animals such as pets, animals that hibernate, or migratory animals

  VCSSU046 | Science | Foundation to Level 2 | Science Understanding | Earth and space sciences

• VCSSU094

  Multicellular organisms contain systems of organs that carry out specialised functions that enable them to survive and reproduce

  Elaborations

  • examining the specialised cells and tissues involved in structure and function of particular organs
  • describing the structure of each organ in a system and relating its function to the overall function of the system
  • identifying the organs and overall function of a system of a multicellular organism in supporting life processes
  • comparing reproductive systems of organisms
  • comparing similar systems in different organisms, for example, digestive systems in herbivores and carnivores, respiratory systems in fish and mammals

  VCSSU094 | Science | Levels 7 and 8 | Science Understanding | Biological sciences

• VCSSU035

  The shape of objects will affect how they move

  Elaborations

  • investigating how the shape of an object affects how well it can roll or slide
  • investigating how the shape of a helicopter blade affects how long a model paper helicopter can stay in the air

  VCSSU035 | Science | Level D | Science Understanding | Physical sciences

• VCSSU034

  The weather and time of day affect events and clothing choices

  Elaborations

  • linking the time of day with routine events and objects
  • using images of different clothes to put together a ‘summer’ and a ‘winter’ outfit

  VCSSU034 | Science | Level D | Science Understanding | Earth and space sciences

• VCSSU004

  Changes in the world around us can affect responses

  Elaborations

  • making decisions about clothing, location and activity based on their reaction to, and changes in, the weather
  • demonstrating an awareness of the time of day by responding to activities associated with different times of the day, for example, eating lunch, getting dressed to go to school, packing bags to go home

  VCSSU004 | Science | Level A | Science Understanding | Earth and space sciences